Yoga

Carrie and I had a fabulous time doing yoga at The Dharma Room in downtown Sioux Falls. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to find peace and chill out. Here is a picture of the facility and Carrie at her best!

The Dharma Room in fabulous downtown SooFoo.

Carrie-who knew you were so flexible!!

A Busy Start to February

We beat Wilmot 83-43! Next we have Milbank on Friday night. RJ went to visit a college in St. Louis this weekend and Carrie Azure and I took him to Sioux Falls and stayed the weekend at her sister Kristi's. We did a lot of shopping and meditating! We had massages, had our chokra's cleaned, and did yoga. It was a pretty amazing experience! After becoming peaceful, I watched the superbowl and much to my dismay, the Steelers won. We also ate lots of interesting food. It was hard to be away from the family so long, but I enjoyed the break.

Lunch at Mama Lada's Enchiladas!!

Lunch at Sanaa's. "Mr. Sanaa" took out picture!

RJ playing defense!

Game Info

I am behind in blogging! The Braves beat Hamlin 56-40 on Friday night. RJ had 5 points. RJ, Carrie and I left for Sioux Falls right after the game. I will post later with updates about the weekend. I've got to get going to the BH-Wilmot game that starts in 1 1/2 hours. Wish us luck!!

Big Win in OT!!

I AM SO HAPPY!! After a totally cruddy first half, Britton-Hecla Braves came back to beat the 10-1 Ipswich Tigers in OT!!! We were down by about 11 with 3 minutes left. We tied it up and won 58-53 in OT.

RJ didn't shoot real well the first half, but came back to hit three 3 pointers (Two in OT) and a 15 free throws (six in a row in OT).

Ipswich had only been beaten by Parkston who is ranked #3 in the state. I am savoring every win because I know how tough Districts might be. I thank God for this wonderful basketball season!!

Here is the story that was in the Aberdeen American News today.

High School Boys' Basketball: Britton-Hecla stops Ipswich 58-53 in overtime thriller
Published on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

BRITTON - R.J. Thompson scored 12 of his team's 14 points in overtime to lift Britton-Hecla past Ipswich 58-53 in non-conference boys' basketball action Tuesday night.Thompson, who finished with a game-high 26 points, made two three-point field goals and six straight free throws in the extra session.Clayton Warner added 10 points for Britton-Hecla, which trailed by nine points heading into the fourth quarter. Mat Kirkegaard and Cody Krutsinger each finished with eight. Britton-Hecla improved to 10-2 on the season.

IPSWICH: Taylor Weigel 2 6-9 11, Shaun Davis 1 2-2 4, Chad Dutenhoffer 1 2-2 4, Jayson Geditz 7 1-3 16, Wyatt Geditz 3 1-3 8, Barry Davis 4 2-4 10. Totals 18 14-23 53.

BRITTON-HECLA: Mat Kirkegaard 3 1-2 8, R.J. Thompson 4 15-18 26, Cody Krutsinger 2 3-3 8, Clayton Warner 5 0-0 10, Isaac Lyngaas 3 0-2 6.

3-point field goals - Weigel, J. Geditz, W. Geditz, Kirkegaard, Thompson 3, Krutsinger. Fouled out - Warner. Total fouls - Ipswich 19; Britton-Hecla 20. Rebounds - Ipswich 22 (Davis 8); Britton-Hecla 28 (Krutsinger 8). Turnovers - Ipswich 10; Britton-Hecla 14. B Game - Britton-Hecla 48-15.

A Weekend Full of Birthdays!!

Yes, it was a busy, birthday weekend. I celebrated mine on Friday and Cecilia's was on Saturday. We actually celebrated hers on Sunday, since there was a 90th birthday party for my great-uncle Walt in Lake City on Saturday night. It was good to see all the relatives. Cecilia got to play with her cousin Josephine, who is just 10 days younger than her and who lives in Austin, Texas.

Here are some pics. Have a great week! Ispwich tomorrow night!!

Cecilia and Josephine playing the jukebox at the birthday party!

Grandpa Rudy eating ice cream cake?? Never seen THAT happen before!

Daddy and Cecilia

Opening presents-Ceci loves doing that!

Another Win!!

Tonight the Braves beat Webster 59-43. Scoring was evenly spread between many of our players. It was fun to have a more relaxing game instead of a nail-biter!!

That ref looks kinda familiar. Patrick???

Hair, Hair, Everywhere!

Ceci and I got our hair done today. I got a color and cut and she had her ends trimmed. It is her first haircut, and I didn't know what to expect, but she did a great job sittting still!!

Basketball Update

We play Webster Friday night in Webster. Wish us luck. RJ went a-scouting to Sisseton tonight. They play Deuel. I'll let you know how things turn out!!

Inauguration!!!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Presidential Inauguration! Words cannot express. God Bless America!

Fun in the Snow and Other Tidbits!!

Here are a few pics of some outdoor fun. Sunday we had a leak in the kitchen, so we had to "rake" the snow off of the roof. It was pretty nice out, so we played in the snow. Cecilia also had fun digging in my clothes and putting RJ's boxers on her head!

Rj's boxers and Daddy's shirts!

Tired But Happy After a Win and Snowy Drive from Castlewood

We won! Tonight we traveled to Castlewood for basketball. Thanks to a strong north wind, the road weren't great, especially my parent's driveway! Cecilia spent the day at their house. We won 57-52. RJ had a pretty good game and his friend Luke had 7 three pointers and 26 points. It's nice to see him hit his shots-when he's hot, he's hot! It was close, which seems to be the name of the game this season. I think they want to give me or Mr. Storley a heart attack! Next we travel to Webster on Friday night. No pics to share, but it was certainly fun to win!

The pictures were taken by Lexy Sattler who came from Madison to watch the game. Thanks Lexy! I miss your photographic abilities!

Bringing the ball up the court

Freethrows win or lose the game

I still don't think it was an offensive foul!!

Looking Ahead to Saturday......

Well, we lost to Roncalli. Boy, I HATE to lose to Roncalli. We had a good start, but then fell into a funk. I'm sure it will be headlines in the Aberdeen American News. We have a couple of injuries to our startes, although I WILL NOT USE THAT AS AN EXCUSE, UNLIKE SOME TEAMS! Oh well, the world keeps on turning. We play in Castlewood Saturday night. Hopefully we are more successful. Wish us luck!!

Enough!!

OK, now that the temperature has dropped to -42 degrees, I think that is about enough of this cold! Wow! It has definitely been a winter to remember! Stay warm--we won't forget the winter of '09!

IT'S COLD OUT!!!!!

Ceci loves puzzles. Daddy, on the other hand, is getting rather tired of them! He can't say no!

Wow, snow and cold is the name of the game this winter! We did not have school Monday and have been late every other day this week! I haven't gotten to sleep in though, with student and teacher meetings pretty much every day. It was about -24 degrees this morning as I drove to Aberdeen for a testing meeting. Yuck!

We play Roncalli Friday night and Castlewood Saturday. Wish the Braves luck! We are pleased to be #10 in the state. Hopefully we continue to be successful. It has been a wonderful season. RJ's picture was in the Britton Journal this week.

Cecilia has grown up before my eyes during the past month. She's starting to talk more as she approaches 2. She still struggles to say RJ--it usually comes out as Dar-Dar or something like that! She loves puzzles and is becoming very good at putting them together!

STAY WARM AND SAFE!!!!

Thursday Night Game

We went to Frederick for BB tonight--we won 63-53. We had a pretty big lead but blew it! The roads coming home were not very fun. RJ had some excellent plays and then a few less memorable ones! Anyway, the boys are tired after a busy week and so am I! Next up........RONCALLI!!!! I am going to eat pizza with RJ and GO TO BED!!

What a Difference a Day Can Make!

Yes, it is a different story tonight. The Langford Lions pounced on the Braves by about 20 points. It wasn't pretty. The Lions finished 2nd at state last year and it was pretty evident that they are still very talented. What's done is done, and we have Leola-Frederick to look forward to on Thursday evening. Wish us luck!

Woo-Hoo--The Braves Beat the Redmen!

Ok, I am just a little excited. Britton-Hecla just beat Sisseton 37-34. Wow! What a game! Lots of defense. Sisseton is a very good team, even though they supposedly weren't very "healthy". I am very thankful for the win. RJ missed a bunch of freethrows--you would think he would shoot better at home! Next, Langford. It will probably be a hard fought game. I'll keep you posted!

A Great Way to Start 2009

Well, despite being down by 10 or so at half, Britton-Hecla came back to beat Mobridge-Pollock by a score of 55-43. RJ had 18 points, 10 rebounds and (?) assists-some I just don't know how many! They were a tough team, coach by local basketball legend Jim Schlekeway. Hunter Hook, their standout player, had 4 three-pointers. Monday the Braves take on Sisseton. There were quite a few Sisseton players and coaches at the game Friday night, scouting us out. Wish us luck--we will need it!!

RJ and Hunter Hook

Cecilia was WIPED OUT by all of the holiday festivities!!

Cecilia loves her new stacking blocks!

Garlic Shrimp--Yumm-o!

I made this shrimp appetizer for NYE--thought I would share the recipe.

Garlic Shrimp
Recipe courtesy Gourmet Magazine


Ingredients
1/3 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pound unshelled shrimp (26 to 32 shrimp per pound)
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1/4 cup medium-dry sherry
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large heavy skillet set over moderately high heat, heat the oil until it is hot, add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it is pale golden. Add the red pepper flakes and the shrimp and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute, or until the shrimp are pink and just firm to the touch. Sprinkle with shrimp with the paprika and cook the mixture, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the Sherry, boil the mixture for 30 seconds, and sprinkle with parsley. Season the mixture with the lemon juice and salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer it to a serving bowl.
The shrimp may be made up to 1 day in advance and kept covered tightly and chilled. Serve the shrimp at room temperature.
Wine Suggestions: Dry Manzanilla; Jerez Region Spanish Cava (Sparkling Wine) Montecillo Winery Rioja

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!!

We spent New Year's Eve at the Azure's. It was a great time! Lots of friends, kids, food and drink! It was Carrie's birthday so we celebrated that also. Cecilia is recovering from ear infection, and had fun playing with the kids. RJ beat us home so that is a good thing. (?) Here are some pics. We play Mobridge-Pollock tonight---wish us luck!

Ceci loves her new palace she got for Christmas!

Angel the "evil" cat.

The Boik's and Azure's